Mountains Page 8 of 10

Lake Orta is considered the most romantic of northern Italy's sub-Alpine lakes. On its eastern shore – just above the town of Orta – la Darbia is set into an idyllic hillside and celebrates la dolce vita in Piedmont.

The Niedermairhof in the Puster Valley of South Tyrol was an old farmhouse that had been converted into an inn many years ago. Following a fifteen year hiatus, it has reopened its doors as a bed and breakfast.

With a sweeping view of the valley of the Little Kyll, the Vulkaneifelhaus offers a retreat where, despite the generosity of the architecture, you feel both at home and connected to the surroundings. The location of the house, which is clad entirely in wood, on a south-facing slope provides plenty of sun and light.

The listed wooden house from 1801 is located in a small hamlet in Grisons. In 2012/13 the building has been restored to its original condition far as possible. The house features two apartments, one of which is rented out as a holiday home for up to six people.

Surrounded by orchards the Obermoarhof is located on the outskirts of the village Tschirland in South Tyrol. Two apartments have been integrated into the listed farm from the 15th century.

In the middle of an oak forest, yet with a wide view up to Lake Trasimeno, Villa G. is situated on a mountainside near the medieval town of Preggio.

La Marmote in the Carnic Alps in north-eastern Italy is a hotel with 22 apartments, which are scattered throughout the little town of Paluzza. The apartment Da Velio frames the mountain panorama with its huge glass front.

The holiday home BERGRAUM in the Austrian Kleinwalsertal is a modern interpretation of the traditional barn. Outside as well as inside the building is characterized by simple forms, straight lines and the reduction to the materials wood, concrete and glass.

Thanks to its secluded location on a hill top in the Marche region, the Casa della Fede offers spectacular panoramic views – on the Sibillini mountains, ancient towns and vineyards up to the sea.

The Alpine Lodge Pontresina Chesa al Parc is located in a sunny, panoramic position at the edge of a park in the village center of Pontresina. Its modern alpine architecture has a facade of wood slats, which partially covers some windows.

The holiday home “Auf da Leitn 8”, in the middle of a traffic-free hamlet at 819 meters above sea level, is set amidst Hohe Tauern National Park, on the edge of the Kitzbühel Alps and the entrance to the Wildkogel.

Situated on a sunny hillside above the tranquil South Tyrolean town of Merano, the modernist Villa Alvarium offers sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

BAIX DE S’ERA is a stylish place for a holiday in Mallorca away from mass tourism. The owners actually wanted to build a bungalow, but due to the building regulations this was not possible.

The Bregenzerwald is known for its modern wooden buildings and high quality craftsmanship. An example of this architecture, combining innovation and tradition, is the house Islen in the municipality of Mellau.

Stadl Altenbach is a historic “Kellerstöckl” in southern Styria. This style of house – a hillside construction with a cellar built into the hill – are traditionally found in the Austrian wine-growing regions.

Situated in the Upper Bavarian Inn Valley, this holiday home is only four meters wide. but the solid wooden house offers five levels that are stacked semi-staggered on top of each other. A wood-burning stove and the clay walls create a cosy atmosphere.

Above a lake near the village of Traunkirchen, in the Austrian Salzkammergut region, you will find two cubes of wood and glass neatly nestled into the hillside and dream view of Lake Traunsee and the Traunstein mountain.

The Sauerlandbleibe in the half-timbered village of Bödefeld proves that a group house can be stylish. The 200 year old farm house with room for up to 26 people is suitable as holiday accommodation or for conferences.

A tailor shop at the village centre of Schoppernau in Bregenzerwald has been transformed into a holiday home that skillfully combines yesterday and today. The traditional ambience of the house with its old wooden walls has been broken up with a new, modern interior design.

Madero is one of five alpine lofts nestled on a sunny slope in Bad Gastein. It is a flexible and spacious holiday home that offersup to 6 people a unique panorama design experience.

he historic fishing village of Novigrad is situated in a fjord-like bay in the Croatian region of Dalmatia. Located in the center of the picturesque old town, Kuća Kamena is a traditional Dalmatian stone house with a turbulent past.

In a sunny location above the village of Scena, the Dahoam Chalet opens with large windows to the Merano valley. The building made of untreated larch is a modern interpretation of the typical local stables.

The mountain village Martisberg in the Swiss Valais only has a few houses and 19 inhabitants. The Josihaus is one of the buildings nestled at 1367 meters altitude on the sunny southern slope.

This 300-year-old farmhouse is situated in the Bavarian Forest in a natural landscape along the green belt of Europe. Ingrid Haidl-Madl has fulfilled her dream of living and working in the one place by rebuilding her parents’ house.